A text of Leon Switzer
Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of corporate communications, whose career that spanned more than 40 years, lost a year long battle with cancer at age 71.
"Jim Hunter was one of NASCAR's giants," said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France.
"For more than 40 years, Jim was part of NASCAR and its history. He loved the sport, but loved the people even more. It seems as if everyone in the sport called him a friend. Jim will forever be missed by the NASCAR community. Our sympathies go out to his entire family."
While covering the Inaugural NASCAR Hall Of Fame Inductions for Auto123.com in May, I had the pleasure of seeing Mr Hunter once again and listening to him speak. Always a professional, and touched so many people from fans to drivers.
"Jim was a uniquely talented man that cannot be replaced. He was a great friend and mentor to so many in the sport. His influence will remain with and be carried on by so many of the people he touched. This is a sad day for Jim's family and his extended, NASCAR family," added NASCAR president Mike Helton.
I spent the better part of this morning looking though thousands of images, trying to remember where we had been together last and if I had taken a photo or two at that time. I went back to Daytona 2008, 2009, Loudon 2008, 2009 both races, nothing! I knew I had some, but where were they?
Between listening to all the wonderful stories about Mr Hunter on the race broadcast this morning and flipping through hard-drive after hard-drive, I found them!
Juan Pablo Montoya captured the pole today for the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Super-speedway and spoke just after to the media.
"He was such a good person. I'm really going to miss him. It really sucks."
"It's nice to get the pole here in his memory," said Montoya.
I will always have the lasting image of Mr. Hunter standing in front of the podium at the NASCAR Hall Of Fame, and expect they are already making room for him there Charlotte NC.
Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of corporate communications, whose career that spanned more than 40 years, lost a year long battle with cancer at age 71.
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| photo: Leon Switzer/Totalphoto.ca |
"Jim Hunter was one of NASCAR's giants," said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France.
"For more than 40 years, Jim was part of NASCAR and its history. He loved the sport, but loved the people even more. It seems as if everyone in the sport called him a friend. Jim will forever be missed by the NASCAR community. Our sympathies go out to his entire family."
While covering the Inaugural NASCAR Hall Of Fame Inductions for Auto123.com in May, I had the pleasure of seeing Mr Hunter once again and listening to him speak. Always a professional, and touched so many people from fans to drivers.
"Jim was a uniquely talented man that cannot be replaced. He was a great friend and mentor to so many in the sport. His influence will remain with and be carried on by so many of the people he touched. This is a sad day for Jim's family and his extended, NASCAR family," added NASCAR president Mike Helton.
I spent the better part of this morning looking though thousands of images, trying to remember where we had been together last and if I had taken a photo or two at that time. I went back to Daytona 2008, 2009, Loudon 2008, 2009 both races, nothing! I knew I had some, but where were they?
Between listening to all the wonderful stories about Mr Hunter on the race broadcast this morning and flipping through hard-drive after hard-drive, I found them!
Juan Pablo Montoya captured the pole today for the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Super-speedway and spoke just after to the media.
"He was such a good person. I'm really going to miss him. It really sucks."
"It's nice to get the pole here in his memory," said Montoya.
I will always have the lasting image of Mr. Hunter standing in front of the podium at the NASCAR Hall Of Fame, and expect they are already making room for him there Charlotte NC.